Ja’Tavion Sanders will miss the rest of the Panthers’ Week 12 contest attributable to a neck harm. The rookie tight finish has been taken to hospital for analysis.
Sanders was flipped out of bounds after making a catch through the second quarter of Sunday’s matchup with the Chiefs. He hit his head upon touchdown and was finally positioned on a backboard and carted off the sphere. ESPN’s David Newton notes Sanders confirmed motion on his approach out of the stadium, and the staff has confirmed that continues to be the case as he receives additional analysis, via Joe Person of The Athletic.
That would go away his time in hospital as a fast precautionary measure, however in any occasion this harm might result in notable time on the sidelines. Sanders had appeared in each recreation thus far this season, logging a 60% snap share. The fourth-rounder drew a minimum of 5 targets 4 occasions throughout a five-game span just lately, an indication of his growing function in Carolina’s passing recreation. With fellow tight finish Ian Thomas just lately landing on IR, a possibility exists for Sanders to solidify his standing as a key skill-position determine down the stretch.
Nonetheless, this harm might go away him unavailable for an prolonged interval. The Texas product recorded 253 yards and one landing on 26 catches getting into Sunday’s motion. Persevering with that manufacturing as soon as again within the fold will likely be key in establishing Sanders’ function on offense transferring ahead. A part of the Panthers’ general efforts so as to add playmakers on offense by way of the draft this spring, he might develop right into a long-term contributor over time as Carolina appears to be like to rebuild.
Within the meantime, consideration will flip to Sanders’ restoration. With the Panthers sitting at 3-7 on the 12 months heading into Week 12, a hurried return to motion to assist a postseason push isn’t within the playing cards. If he can swimsuit up in some unspecified time in the future later this 12 months, although, Sanders might proceed what has been a comparatively encouraging rookie marketing campaign.